Charlie Byrd

Originally published in the Britannica Book of the Year. Presented as archival content. Learn more.

This article was originally published in the Britannica Book of the Year, an annual print publication that
provides an overview of the year’s most-notable people and events.
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Alternative Title:
Charles Lee

Charlie Byrd, (Charles Lee), American jazz musician (born September 16, 1925, Chuckatuck, Virginia, U.S.—died December 2, 1999, Annapolis, Maryland), was schooled in both jazz and classical music; he played modern jazz on the (unamplified) Spanish guitar before the hit Stan Getz–Charlie Byrd album Jazz Samba launched the bossa nova fad in 1962. Byrd went on to fuse jazz and Brazilian music in scores of graceful, lyrical albums.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen, Corrections Manager.

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